In a country that is largely prescription and illicit drug-dependent, one may feel that fighting the war on drugs is a relatively hopeless task. It may seem that spending a fortune on home security or moving to another community are one’s only choices in protecting oneself and one’s family from drugs, but this is not much different than attempting to mend a broken arm with a colorful Band-Aids. The fact is that one can take steps to help reduce or eliminate drug use in the community, and taking action in one’s own community is an important step in the fight against drugs. Following are some tips for how you can take your community back from drugs:
Steps for Creating A Drug Free Community
The following are steps for creating a drug free community and taking it back from drugs:
1. Call the local and State Police
Increased police presence is a surefire way to help reduce or eliminate drug use in the community. Calling the local and state police and asking for increased presence in your community due to drug activity is a very wise thing to do, and if you are concerned for your own safety and want to remain anonymous, you can call from a local payphone. However, some police may require your name in order to verify that you are serious in your request.
Talk to neighbors and business owners about the drug problem in the community
Finding others who agree that drugs are a problem in the community and that something needs to be done about it is like dropping a stone into a lake – the ripples will spread and affect others. Furthermore, you may find out useful information that can be passed on to the police, like certain drug-dealing or drug-using patterns that others have observed.
2. Talk to landlords
A landlord whose property is being used for drug activities may be unaware of such activities, and may be interested in taking action if they are made aware. You can go to the Tax Appraisal District to find the owner of the property and how to contact them.
3. Start a “Neighborhood Watch” program
Others likely share your concerns about drug use in your community. The local police can provide Neighborhood Watch signs that can be posted at members’ properties, and can support Neighborhood Watch activities.
4. Maintain working streetlights
Dark streets and alleys may feel safer for drug dealers and users, so ensuring that all streetlights are properly working are important in reducing and erasing community drug use.
5. Create a community effort against drugs
One community’s efforts to “Take McAlester Back”
The city of McAlester, Oklahoma recently put on an event called “Take McAlester Back”. The message: City residents are taking the community back from drug use, replacing the pain of drug addiction with the joy of the arts.
In a recent statement, Director Kerlikowske of the Office of National Drug Control Policy supported the efforts for “Take McAlester Back”. “There is no magic wand to stop drug use, but people do get healthier and communities do get stronger when we work together at the local level. We recognize this,” says Kerlikowske. “Your campaign to take McAlester back from drugs brings together a diverse group of community partners to prevent, reduce and respond to drug use and addiction. We want and need you to be successful. And I know the task before you is not easy, but when you organize and address your local problems you can strengthen your community, you can reduce drug use and you can and will save lives. Through prevention and early intervention, through treatment and support for recovery, it is our goal to support McAlester’s efforts. We look forward to working with you as we reshape our national approach to preventing drug use and its consequences … you are the cornerstone of this effort and I know you will build on and celebrate your successes, expand the involvement of your community and connect with national resources. Most importantly, know that you are making a difference. Thank you for the work you are doing and for your commitment.
The “Take McAlester Back” campaign proves that a community can pull together to reduce and eliminate drug use, and that such efforts are important and nationally recognized.
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_gIR9KMn88&feature=c4-overview&list=UUnvz1qS5hpHQlwk35LmiSbA
http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Drug-Dealers-in-Your-Neighborhood
http://www.narconon-news.org/narconon/narconon-arrowhead-takes-mcalester-back.html
